Badnarik Fundraising Numbers…
It looks like Michael Badnarik’s Congressional campaign has already raised a whole lot of money… and spent almost all of it.
The latest campaign finance report filed with the FEC covers the period up to December 31st.
Since entering the race, the Badnarik campaign has raised an impressive $83,624.79. Of that, the campaign had net operating expenditures of $75,534.76 through the end of the year. Additionally, it reported $3,689.50 in debts and obligations owed.
This leaves the campaign $4,400.53 in the black as they enter 2006.
During the last fundraising quarter, from October 1st to December 31st, the campaign raised $56,377.99 and spent $55,785.62.
Since the start of the campaign, the biggest expenses appear to have been staff-related. My quick calculations show $19,500.00 in direct payments to “Alan Hacker/Articulate Management” for items such as management services, expenses, and Adminstrative/Salary/Overhead: expenses. Another $10,200 was paid to Susan Rarick for travel and consulting services.
A $276 expense is listed for Royal Caribbean cruise lines, apparently the fee for Badnarik to attend the Libertarian Party of California’s state convention next month.
The rest of the expenses seem to be the standard smattering of campaign consulting fees, services, and some supplies (bumperstickers, t-shirts, and so on).
The Badnarik campaign also appears to have a monthly office rent bill of $2,404.
The large majority of individually itemized contributions have come from non-Texans.
To see the reports for yourself, click here and search “Badnarik” in the “partial name of committee” line.
My take on it: The amount of money that they’ve managed to raise is really impressive, but the campaign does not seem to be building or maintaining much of a warchest. One has to wonder where the money for large amounts of pre-election advertising will come from.
January 23rd, 2006 at 12:21 pm
I would think that for Badnarik to make a big impact in this race he will have to raise at least a half million dollars this year.
January 23rd, 2006 at 3:44 pm
It seems like they’re trying to get a jump on the competition…
It’s a risky game that may or may not pay off in the end… but Badnarik is still the best chance for a Libertarian in Congress this year.
January 23rd, 2006 at 4:26 pm
I have contributed to Michael’s campaign and will again. He has a great opportunity to be elected to Congress and we have a great opportunity to help him do it.
January 23rd, 2006 at 4:35 pm
I think someone needs to tell them that just because you spend your cash willy nilly, just like a Democrat or Republican, doesn’t mean you will win votes like a Democrat or Republican. Does a Libertarian really needs tens of thousands of dollars of consultants? The best third party campaigns are the ones with great candidates that explode out of the box in the last 2 or 3 weeks of a campaign with creative advertising. See Jesse Ventura for example.
January 23rd, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Good to see a libertarian who can’t find a dollar he doesn’t know how to spend, I think they are called Republicans in the business.
January 23rd, 2006 at 10:18 pm
God forbid that Libertarians start running real campaigns.
January 24th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Badnarik is an embarassment to the Libertarian Party and the libertarian movement. His campaigns are axe-grinding ego-fests for himself and his staff.
I see yet another 1% showing in the General Election.
January 24th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
Mr. Paul:
In the 2004 election for President, Michael Badnarik got more votes than Harry Browne did in 2000 with less money.
How would you describe getting more votes on less money as an embarassment?
Michael Badnarik campaigned his tail off in 2004 and represented the Libertarian Party proudly across the nation. Now he continues the fight for liberty in 2006 by running for Congress in Texas.
January 24th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
I’m excited to see how Badnarik does. It would be great to see him win, but I can’t say I’m optimistic after reading this. Let’s just hope he can raise more money. I’m sure he’ll pick up support once he starts campaigning harder.
January 24th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
a know this is a little off topic but Jay Fisher is trying to get on the ballot as a Libertarian in the 6th congressional district in Georgia. He has to get 15,000 signatures to do this. Since this law was put in place in the 1940’s no minor party candidate has got on the ballot in Georgia for an congressional race. Fisher could probably use some of the money Badnarik has raised to do this but I doubt he will be able to raise as much as Badnarik has
January 25th, 2006 at 7:48 am
And if anybody wants to help Jay Fisher, they can contact me at the LPGA Offices… www.ga.lp.org
March 17th, 2006 at 1:01 am
LPGA? Have I met you before?
September 21st, 2006 at 2:28 am
[...] This blog actually raised some early questions when the first financial reports showed that almost all of the money being raised was being spent to set up and office and a staff. It seemed like practically nothing was being set aside for future advertising or outreach purposes. [...]